Starting three weeks ago on travelandleisure.com, 25 US cities vied against each other in a head-to-head battle for the title. Just twelve cities advanced to Round Two, Boston among them. In Round Two, Boston beat Miami (70% vs. 30%); in Round Three, Boston beat New York and Chicago by capturing 46% of the votes (New York had 29%, Chicago had 25%). In the competing bracket, San Francisco (51% of the votes) beat Honolulu (20%) and San Diego (29%).

In the final round, Boston went up against San Francisco, another USA coastal city worthy of a chance at the title. "Boston trounced San Francisco to win this year's title," said Nancy Novogrod, Editor-In-Chief of Travel & Leisure magazine.

According to Novogrod, "Boston may be steeped in history, but it is madly evolving. The combination of the new waterfront Institute of Contemporary Art, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the urban park created by the Big Dig project, and Boston's hotel scene with new arrivals such as the Mandarin Oriental Boston Hotel, waterfront InterContinental Boston, the Liberty Hotel, and next - the Fairmont Battery Wharf on the waterfront, all add up to a vibrant international destination." Patrick Moscaritolo, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau is, of course, in agreement with the decision: "Boston, as everyone knows, played an important part in founding this country. It also has been the center of creativity and innovation for more than 300 years, but what makes Boston so popular today is its scale, livability, cultural attractions, historical treasures, and its championship sports teams that drive 'civic pride.'' We are thrilled to have been voted American's Favorite City."